Unless she is vaccinated against Covid-19, Sam Frost will be unable to return to work on Home And Away.
According to the Herald Sun on Friday, Seven West Media’s Director of Production Andrew Backwell wrote an email to colleagues declaring that the network will ‘only engage fully vaccinated presenters, cast, and crew.’
Staff from Seven Productions, which produces Home And Away, will be required to be doubly vaccinated beginning January 10 in order to continue working.
‘To ensure the safest possible work environment for cast, crew, and presenters, Seven Productions has made the decision to only engage people who are completely vaccinated against COVID-19,’ a representative for the network told the magazine.
‘Vaccination is strongly recommended by Seven to safeguard our employees, their coworkers, and their families.’
While the network declined to comment on specific individuals, Sam, 32, who recently indicated that she was not vaccinated, is likely to be affected by the law.
A Channel Seven spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that the network will “not comment or speculate on the vaccination status of people.”
The former Bachelorette star’s Instagram account was removed on October 9, only days after she revealed in a tearful video that she was unvaccinated and that her mental health had suffered as a consequence of others’ ‘judging’ her.
Since 2017, the actress, who has played nurse Jasmine Delaney on Home and Away, has advocated for a more accepting attitude among unvaccinated Australians.
‘I was extremely worried about shooting a video or even speaking up about this type of issue,’ she said in the video, ‘but I feel like the world is coming to a place now where there’s a lot of division.’
‘There’s a lot of harsh judgement and comments being tossed about a lot, and it’s definitely affecting my mental health, and I know people around me are hurting, especially if they don’t want to be vaccinated for whatever reason.’
‘There are many various reasons why individuals do not get vaccinated, and it might be because to their medical history, their worries, their family history, or religious beliefs.’
Sam then claimed she hadn’t been vaccinated, but that she had discussed her option with her medical doctor and a psychologist; nevertheless, it is known she does not have a genuine medical exemption.
‘It’s a really terrible moment to be in society right now, and you feel like you’re less of a human, and you feel like others criticise you,’ she continued bitterly.
‘And you’re too afraid to express your thoughts or sentiments, and a part of you wants to go,’ “It’s none of your business why I’m not here! And there are valid reasons for this, and I don’t want you to pass judgement on me “‘.
She stated that it was critical for the unvaccinated to take care of their mental health, especially when fully vaccinated Australians regain their freedoms.
‘I’m having a lot of trouble with my mental health, but I like to think I’m on top of it.’ I go to a psychologist on a regular basis. So I can’t image what it’s like for folks who don’t have a support system in place,’ she explained.
She also warned that coming out publicly as unvaccinated may bring her in jeopardy, before imploring people to treat one another with greater respect and compassion.
Her video sparked a firestorm of criticism, largely due to her use of the word “segregation” to describe how society “judges” unvaccinated individuals.
The term’segregation’ is commonly used to characterise civilizations that are separated along racial, religious, or sexual lines.
‘Seven actively advocates vaccination for all of our personnel, and all Seven productions absolutely comply to the public health Covid-19 safe procedures,’ a representative for the network stated shortly after.
In addition to other precautionary precautions, the cast and crew of Home and Away undergo Covid-19 testing three times a week.
‘Sam Frost continues to work on Home and Away while adhering to the established safety standards.’
Sam took to Instagram on Wednesday to thank her loved ones, including her coworkers, and to express her gratitude for the’support and love’ she’d received.
‘Thank you for the outpouring of love and support over the last several weeks,’ she said on Instagram Stories.
‘I was inundated with hundreds upon thousands of kind letters and emails. You have no idea how much I appreciate that.
‘I am eternally thankful to my friends, family, and coworkers who held my hand during the storm and unconditionally loved me. Kindness always comes out on top. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
